Below are some preliminary questions to assist in the study of this passage. For a comprehensive study of the passage, download the Study Guide (PDF download).
1. Why does Joseph ask Pilate for Jesus’ body? See Deuteronomy 21:22-23 (printed below)
If a man guilty of a capital offense is put to death and his body is hung on a tree, (23) you must not leave his body on the tree overnight. Be sure to bury him that same day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse. You must not desecrate the land Jehovah your God is giving you as an inheritance. (Deuteronomy 21:22-23)
Joseph requests the body of Jesus because, according to the Old Testament law, if a man had been executed his body could not remain hung on a tree; it had to be buried. This was especially important on this occasion, because the next day was the Sabbath.
2. What do Mark and John tell us about Joseph of Arimathaea? See Mark 15:43 and John 19:38 (printed below)
Joseph of Arimathaea—a prominent member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God—boldly went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. (Mark 15:43)
After these things, Joseph of Arimathaea, a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate for permission to take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. Therefore he came and took away his body. (John 19:38)
Mark tells us that Joseph was a prominent member of the Jewish council. He himself was looking for the kingdom of God. Indeed, John tells us that Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly due to his fear of the Jews.
3. Mark tells us that Joseph “boldly went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.” Why do you think this was a bold thing for Joseph to do?
Joseph’s action might well have gotten him into trouble with the Romans, it could possibly have cost him his life. How would the Roman authorities react to a wealthy, influential Jew providing a proper burial for this man Jesus who so recently had been accused of treason and previously had the support of the multitudes behind Him? Most certainly Joseph’s action would have gotten him into trouble with the Jews. He would no doubt be expelled from the Sanhedrin and perhaps be excommunicated from the synagogue (cp. John 9:22, and John 12:42-43)
4. Who came to help Joseph with the body? What are we told about this person? See John 19:39 (printed below)
Nicodemus, the man who first visited Jesus at night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. (John 19:39)
John tells us, “Nicodemus, the man who first visited Jesus at night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds.” The fact that Nicodemus had visited Jesus at night seems to indicate that he, like Joseph, was afraid of what the Jewish leaders would do to him if they knew that he supported Jesus.
5. Why do you think these two men came forward at this time when it appeared that they had nothing to gain (Jesus was dead) and everything to lose?
These two men now act even though, humanly speaking, all that was to be gained was only risk and rejection. Joseph and Nicodemus must have come to the realization that their status, their acceptance, and all that they stood to lose, was not worth the price of silence, of passive compliance, of cowering before wicked men. Apparently, they could no longer live with themselves or with their “friends” on the Sanhedrin; their consciences would not let them.
